The New York Jets released running back Ty Johnson in April despite signing him to a one-year deal in free agency, and the veteran revealed it came after the team told him to get surgery on an offseason injury.
Johnson said he tore his pectoral muscle while working out in the offseason, and after consulting with the team doctor, they told him to “get it fixed.”
“Saw the team doctor. He was like, ‘You need to get it fixed,’” Johnson said in an Instagram video. “Flew out the next day. Came back happy that I got it done, even though I didn’t want to get it done. That following Wednesday, you out of there.”
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Ty Johnson of the New York Jets carries the ball against the Miami Dolphins during the second half of the game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 8, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“And I was like, ‘Damn.’ But at the end of day, man, I know I’m going to be alright.”
The Jets released Johnson on April 26, which was one day before the 2023 NFL Draft.
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Gang Green ended up drafting Pittsburgh running back Israel Abanikanda in the fifth round as well as signing undrafted free agent Travis Dye.
Those rookies joined a running backs room that already had Breece Hall, Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight in it.
Ty Johnson of the New York Jets carries the ball during the second half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Hall was the Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite before tearing his ACL. Teammate receiver Garrett Wilson ended up winning the award at the end of the season.
Johnson did well in his share of the Jets’ backfield duties in 2022, rushing for 160 yards with a touchdown on 30 attempts while catching 12 of his 24 targets for 88 yards.
He also had 238 yards on 61 rushes in 2021 with two touchdowns while scoring twice through the air with 372 receiving yards.
Ty Johnson of the New York Jets wears a shirt in remembrance of the September 11 terrorist attacks before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium on September 11, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
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Johnson, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Maryland, is still searching for his next NFL team since his release.
